Hello Gordy, I just found out about Richard. After you mentioned this I tried to find Him. Unfortunately I found the news of his passing. I have been reading through the history of my own posts (as a means of reconnecting) and Richard was often there. First thing that hit me was clicking on his name, no response. Obviously I'm brain dead for not reading IN Tribute as soon as I returned to the Page's. Take Care

Take me back, so far back, adjust this fate. Afeared lately of pen, in abscence of light. The fear I might stumble upon a plagiarized soul. Wipe this dark slate clean, regain my thought. Add the words that rekindle my depth of soul.

Well, I did some digging. Called in some favors and finally got a few answers. I have a friend of mine (Jason) who happens to be a political journalist and had spent some time in Africa. Well he got back about a few weeks ago and when we sat down and talked I happened to mention Zubairi because I had asked him about a year ago if he could look into it. It seems a month after I had talked to Zubairi in May of 2008 is when he was killed. He was a political prisoner with special privileges for a year before his death. Whatever the hell special privileges means. By the way apparently speaking his name or any of the names of those killed in Africa is a big no no with the supposed government. I wish I had gotten the information sooner but like my friend Jason had told me if he had even called and mentioned Zubairi's name over the phone, they would have hunt him down and shot him on sight. It wasn't safe for him to say anything until he got back into the states. He even put his neck on the line to investigate it but hey does so anyway with the kind of work he does. Jason is writing a book however and Zubairi's name will appear in the book. It is the same Zubairi because he talked to him before his death and Zubairi had mentioned that he loved to write poetry as well as read it. When Jason talked to me a year ago and started to put the dots together he realized it was our Zubairi.

Sorry I hadn't mentioned anything sooner but with the crap going on with my dad. Yea, I've had a lot on my mind. It's when I talked to Jason today that he asked me if I had informed my lovely Familia. Yes, he reads my stories and knows about you guys. He thinks it's cute. Anyway, there it is in a nutshell.

Wow! The fifth ann. will be coming up soon June 10, Rest In Peace Zubairi.

Take me back, so far back, adjust this fate. Afeared lately of pen, in abscence of light. The fear I might stumble upon a plagiarized soul. Wipe this dark slate clean, regain my thought. Add the words that rekindle my depth of soul.